Day One Hundred Seventy June 24

On the previous sea day, the captain informed us that due to weather conditions and the fact that the ship would need to use the tendering system, the stop unfortunately in Waterford was cancelled. The expected swells would not allow the tender dock to be lowered from the ship. Too bad as it would have been a new port for us.

In its place Insignia would sail to Cobh (pronounced Cove). Cobh is the cruise terminal on the south coast of Ireland.

We had been in Cobh back in 2015 so with our ship docked directly across from the train station it was off to Cork. It is the second largest city in Ireland and the third largest city on the island of Ireland.

We wanted to visit the English Market, a two floored building in the heart of the business district of Cork. Here you can get a multitude of goods from bakery goods, jams, vegetables, cheese, and meats.

Prior to leaving Cork we wished to visit an Irish Pub, but it seemed that we were either looking in the wrong area or they were not open.

Walking down Paul Street we came across Woodford, Bourne & Co. established in 1750 as a trading company but now one of Cork's finest Pubs.

Upon returning to Cobh, Janice and I were able to drop off our shopping at the ship and still had sufficient time to wander off and explore the village.

As we leave the cruise terminal, a statue of Annie Moore and her brothers greets us. The plaque reads that "Annie was the first person to be admitted to the United States through the new immigration centre at Ellis Island on 1 January 1892."

Cobh was also the final port of call for the White Star Line ship Titanic on 11 April 1912 before its tragic demise four days later.

The Lusitania Peace Memorial can be found in Casement Square. It was built as a remembrance to the RMS Lusitania, another Cunard passenger liner which was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Kinsale while on route from the United States to Liverpool on 7 May 1915. A total of 1,198 passengers perished with 700 passengers rescued.

As we sailed into Cobh you could see St. Colman's Cathedral looking out over the houses below. Sorry but this should be the last church that I will talk about. As we enter the church a seven-meter rotating sculpture of Planet Earth hangs from the church's vaulted roof. I have a picture where it looks like Janice is holding up the world in her hands.

A short stop at The Mauretania Pub was made before we made our way back to the ship. Janice was able to stock up on Pringle while I found my favourite Cheese & Onion at the local grocery.

Next stop Dublin.